U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, Helping Hands group assist family building new home

U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Richard M. Mills, Jr. and volunteers from the U.S. Embassy’s Helping Hands organization continued an annual tradition by joining the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia team Saturday in Aghavnatun village of Armavir region to help build a home for Petrosyan family. Within a few hours the volunteers finished concreting the floors, a huge step forward for the family.

It’s the eighth year the U.S. Embassy team has joined forces with the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia to build homes for Armenian families in need of decent housing.

The Petrosyans have lived in a metal container since 1995. They have lived in a small room with no bathroom and no kitchen — just a small bedroom without proper roofing and flooring. In 2015, they finally were able to build the walls of their own house but could not afford to finish it.

“It is so hard to live in such housing conditions,” said Mariam, the family matriarch. “My health problems don’t allow me to work harder, but my husband and I have done our best to create decent housing conditions for our son. The rats and snakes were the permanent ‘inhabitants’ of the house. Now, I am so happy that there is a hope that finally we will have a home.”

“I am honored to join you all today to meet the Petrosyan family,” Ambassador Mills said. “They have shown true hospitality to all The Fuller Center volunteers and to those of us from the U.S. Embassy as we come together in a true spirit of partnership and friendship — people helping their brothers and sisters build a better life. This build site today is an example of what we can achieve when we join hands, Americans and Armenians to achieve our common goals.”

“Housing is a basic human right that is vital in everyone’s life and I am glad that we are united in our conviction and dedication to making a difference in the lives of families in housing need,” Fuller Center for Housing Armenia President Ashot Yeghiazaryan said.